Background This study aims to measure the safety behavior of individuals’ during the pandemic of COVID-19 by integrating Health Belief Model (HBM) and behavioral theories i.e. Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and Information-Motivation Behavioral Skills (IMB). Methods The research was conducted in education sector; data was collected from students and staff (teaching and nonteaching) of universities. Mono method was used with deductive approach. Data was collected from 780 respondents and analyzed using Smart PLS3. Results A scenario-based survey conducted online, and data was collected from 780 respondents to test the model. Data analysis was conducted by using SPSS and Smart PLS3.The results highlighted the factors that leads towards behavioral change during the pandemic times. The results highlighted the factors that leads towards behavioral change during pandemic times. Conclusions This study not only contributes into the existing literature on social marketing but also will bring the betterment in the society by measuring the safety behavior of individuals. This research may also help the health policy makers and contributes as communication guideline for individuals to follow safety behaviors which will limit the spread of COVID-19. Trial Registration: Not applicable

The purpose of this study is to explore the behavior and lifestyle of individuals in response to the coronavirus that the safety behavior of people in the coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic. Hence, the study integrates the theory of planned behavior and the health belief model to understand the behavioral change in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The current study is qualitative therefore, a survey-based online questionnaire was used for data collection from university students and staff (faculty and nonfaculty) residing in top-tier cities of Pakistan, nonprobability convenient sampling was used to approach the audience. A two-stage approach was used to test the model using partial least square (variance-based structural equation modeling). The reliability and validity of the measurement model indicate that the data is reliable and valid. Outcomes prove all the relationships as proposed by the study, except for the impact of perceived barriers on intention and individual safety behavior. Perceived barriers act as obstacles that abstain individuals from following the standard operating procedures. The research agenda provides new insights into the fields of marketing, health care, consumer behavior, and behavioral studies. It contributes to the existing literature in the field of social marketing by studying the behavior and changes in the behavior of people in the global pandemic.

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